• Monthly Archive:: December 2010

    When the new year rolls around, I always think of fresh starts. And right up there with my purchases that celebrate that “out with the old, in with the new” mantra are,  you guessed it, shoes. (After all, do we really need an excuse to buy a new pair?) This year, however, I’m looking at some newer additions to my closet (and my kids’ wardrobe) that do more than keep our tootsies toasty. Adding a little “oomph” to my tried-and-true, but tired moccasins collection is this silver glitter pair from TOMS. Not only are they festive and comfortable, but buying them will put some warmth in your heart: for every pair purchased, the company donates shoes to a child in need (yes, they also offer [&hellip

    Read More...

    If I had a dime for every crushed Cheerio I’ve managed to rescue from our family room floor, I’d be well on my way to paying my kids’ college tuition. OK, well maybe just one of their textbooks, but seriously, I’m amazed at how far those crunchy finger foods can travel. They manage to make their way around our home: out of the kitchen, up a flight of stairs and into our carpeting. The same goes for the Goldfish that have found a new home in our car’s backseat. Wouldn’t it be great if food didn’t end up flying and instead stayed exactly where it was meant to be (if it can’t make it into my daughter’s tummy, then at least her bowl)? The mom [&hellip

    Read More...

    Already thinking of New Year’s Eve? You’re not alone. But if you’re like the rest of us who haven’t yet finished our Christmas shopping, consider a gift for the little girl in your life: one she surely treasure for years to come. This December 31, treat your resident Eloise fan to the Black, White and Pink festivities at New York’s one and only Plaza Hotel. On the agenda: a three-course, prix-fix dinner at The Palm Court restaurant (prices are $120/adult and $85 for kids ages 12 and under); games, arts and crafts and other Eloise-themed activities; and a special screening of  “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” in the Terrace Room. Be sure to stop by the Palm Court for a spot of Eloise [&hellip

    Read More...

    If you’re headed to the airport with a little one in tow, the numbers 3-1-1 have more meaning than the winning numbers on a Lotto ticket.  No need to frantically search high and low for bottles and containers that comply with the latest travel requirements. (Yes, we know you’ve already been up all night trying to cram enough formula and finger foods into your diaper bag to last until New Year’s). That’s why you’ll really appreciate The First Years American Read Cross True Travel Kit. It’s the one item on your must-pack checklist that makes airport transport a little less taxing on your already-frayed nerves. The see-through bag has all the essentials to get through your cross-country flight. Plus, you’ll win points with the TSA [&hellip

    Read More...

    Back before I wrote for a living, I took a summer job at my hometown’s city hall (does that make it my “homecity?”). Anyway, I remember well a very hot day when a rather stylish young mother was nursing her baby in the place where city officials gathered for public meetings. I was admittedly a bit taken aback, being a fresh college grad and wondering why this woman didn’t seem to care if everyday people coming to pay their taxes could just stare at her. It certainly didn’t help matters that her child was fussing and drawing even more attention to them. I distinctly remember the look on her face that wasn’t just flushed because the A/C wasn’t working properly. I can’t help thinking how [&hellip

    Read More...

    When your toddler’s drinking cup has more eye appeal than your stemless wine glass, you know you’ve officially become a hip mom. For years, my eyes have glazed over at the endless sea of character sippy cups that have graced our dinner table. From playful creatures to frolicking animals (why does that cat look so happy, anyway?), whatever could get my daughter to drink her milk worked for me. But when it was time to ditch the handled version for a plan cup,  all bets were off. (Are you feeling my pain?) Well, if you’ve got a toddler who doesn’t relish change, you know you may have a battle on your hands. But what could be more enticing than a big kid cup that looks [&hellip

    Read More...

    If I make it through Christmas without tripping over a toy, I’ll be amazed. Call it the curse of generous gift-givers or from years of writing about kids’ product for my various magazine jobs…no matter how you slice it, my kids have been blessed with more playthings than Santa’s Workshop could hold. Do you find that your house is the same–that you too are surrounded by Legos, Calico Critters and tiny pepperoni pieces from a play pizza kit? If you’re noticing how messy your family room has become, while also realizing just how long your child plays with a toy before she loses interest, forget about banishing Barbie to the basement. Giving new meaning to the idea of “re-gifting,” thredUP.com is expanding its kids’ clothing [&hellip

    Read More...

    Sometimes, I feel like I understand what it must be like to be an octopus. Between holding my 2-year-old’s hand while managing grocery bags and my own purse, I can still amazingly get my key in the front door. While I may not have as many appendages to master all the feats of the day, a multitasking bag can sure do the trick. The new line of timi & leslie 2-in-1 backpacks are true workhorses that work double time (kinda like us moms). You can either wear the bag as a backpack, or zip up the backpack straps and wear it as a messenger bag. This versatility helps convey that “Yeah, I’ve got my stuff together” look…even if it’s all a ruse. Would you believe [&hellip

    Read More...

    Ah, the glory of the cold weather….the snow, the ice, the dry air that makes my skin crack and bleed. Once the heat turns on in my house, my hands turn into claws that are so dry, it looks like my cat and I had a fight, and she won. But seriously, eczema and dermatitis are no laughing matter and sadly, my young daughters seem to be ripe candidates for inheriting my sensitive Irish skin. For those families battling dry skin,exederm has a brand new line of baby skincare that can’t be beat. From baby lotion and moisturizer, to shampoo and bath soap, this collection contains no fragrance, no color or dyes, no lanolin and no parabens (if you know your skincare lingo, that means [&hellip

    Read More...